The Myth of Popular Culture: From Dante to Dylan (Wiley-Blackwell Manifestos)

__The Myth of Popular Culture from Dante to Dylan__ is a fascinating examination of the cultural traditions of the American novel, Hollywood, and British and American rock music which leads us to redefine our concept of the division between "high" and "low" culture. * A stimulating history of high and low culture from Dante Alighieri to Bob Dylan, providing a controversial defence of popular culture * Seeks to rebut the durable belief that only high culture is ‘dialectical’ and popular culture is not by turning Theodor Adorno’s theories on ‘pop’ against themselves * Presents a critical analysis of three popular traditions: the American novel, Hollywood, and British and American rock music * Offers an original account of Bob Dylan as an example of how the distinction between high and low culture is highly problematic * A provocative book for any student, scholar or general reader, who is interested in popular culture Content: Chapter 1 A History of High and Low (pages 1–52): Chapter 2 Pop Culture in the Spectator (pages 53–67): Chapter 3 Pop and Postmodernism (pages 68–74): Chapter 4 The Death of Kings: American Fiction from Cooper to Chandler (pages 75–99): Chapter 5 Knock on Any Door: Three Histories of Hollywood (pages 100–128): Chapter 6 The Blues Misreading of Gospel: A History of Rock and Roll (pages 129–149): Chapter 7 Dylan and the Critics (pages 151–162): Chapter 8 Words and Music (pages 163–169): Chapter 9 Dylan Himself (pages 170–175): Chapter 10 The Three Icons: Sinatra, Presley, Dylan (pages 176–181): The Myth Of Popular Culture From Dante To Dylan Is A Fascinating Examination Of The Cultural Traditions Of The American Novel, Hollywood, And British And American Rock Music Which Leads Us To Redefine Our Concept Of The Division Between High And Low Culture.: A Stimulating History Of High And Low Culture From Dante Alighieri To Bob Dylan, Providing A Controversial Defence Of Popular Culture; Seeks To Rebut The Durable Belief That Only High Culture Is 'dialectical' And Popular Culture Is Not By Turning Theodor Adorno's Theories On 'pop' Against Themselves; Presents A Cri. The Myth Of Popular Culture; Contents; Preface: The Resistance To Pop; Acknowledgments; Part I The Battle Of The Brows; 1 A History Of High And Low; 2 Pop Culture In The Spectator; 3 Pop And Postmodernism; Part Ii Dialectics Of Pop; 4 The Death Of Kings: American Fiction From Cooper To Chandler; 5 Knock On Any Door: Three Histories Of Hollywood; 6 The Blues Misreading Of Gospel: A History Of Rock And Roll; Part Iii The World Of Bob Dylan; 7 Dylan And The Critics; 8 Words And Music; 9 Dylan Himself; 10 The Three Icons: Sinatra, Presley, Dylan; Works Cited; Index. Perry Meisel. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In this examination of popular culture, esteemed cultural critic Perry Meisel shatters conventionally held notions about the division between "high" and "low" culture with the provocative theory that popular culture has sustained dialectical rhythms. Meisel's deft critical analysis of three enduring cultural traditions -- the American novel, Hollywood, and British and American rock music -- leads us to question the very concept of the division between "high" and "low" culture. Meisel begins his engaging discussion by refuting philosopher Theodor Adorno's assertion that "high" culture is "dialectical" and "pop" is not, showing that popular culture does indeed have a conversation both with its sources and with cultural authority as a whole. In the final section, Meisel turns his attention to Bob Dylan, a figure who, more than any other, shows what it means to synthesize and revise all traditions -- music, poetry, iconography and transform them completely. - Jacket. "Perry Meisel's study of popular culture is a surprising enhancement of received opinion and common wisdom on that vexed subject. Moving from Shakespeare through Freud on to Bobby Dylan would seem something of a descent, yet Meisel provides a perspective that has its own descriptive justice. Even if I am not wholly persuaded that Dylan's ultimate importance is as sublime as Meisel ventures it to be, I am given much here to intrigue me." -Harold Bloom "Perry Meisel has written a boundary-smashing critique of the myth that popular culture is distinct from and inferior to the fine arts."< Preface: The Resistance to Pop Part one : "The Battle of the Brows". 1. A History of High and Low 2. Pop Culture in the Spectator 3. Pop and Postmodernism Part two : Dialectics of Pop. 4. The Death of Kings: American Fiction from Cooper 5. Knock on Any Door: Three Histories of Hollywood 6. The Blues Misreading of Gospel: A History Part three : The World of Bob Dylan. 7. Dylan and the Critics 8. Words and Music 9. Dylan Himself 10. The Three Icons: Sinatra, Presley, Dylan